Michigan Republicans, Democrats fill out tickets: See who made the November ballot

LANSING, MI — Michigan Republicans and Democrats met at separate conventions this weekend to officially nominate statewide candidates for the November general election.

The top of the ticket was already settled, as Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and challenger Mark Schauer won their uncontested primaries earlier this month. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gary Peters and Republican opponent Terri Lynn Land won uncontested races as well.

Several third-parties had already nominated candidates at conventions of their own.

Here’s an early look at the statewide candidates Michigan voters will see on their ballots. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk. MLive will have more information on each candidate in our upcoming general election voter guide.

Calley faced a serious convention challenge from tea party organizer Wes Nakagiri but ended up winning nearly two out of every three voters from Republican delegates. Nakagiri ended up moving to make the vote unanimous once the outcome became clear, as is convention custom. There are plenty of conservatives still grumbling, the question is whether they’ll rally around the Snyder-Calley ticket in the general election. (more >>)

SECRETARY OF STATE *Ruth Johnson, Republican Godfrey Dillard, Democrat James Lewis, Libertarian Robert Gale, US Taxpayers Jason Robert Gatties, Natural Law

Dillard filled the last open spot on the Democratic ticket after originally hoping to run for attorney general. He delivered a passionate, though sometimes rambling, speech at the party convention on Saturday. (more>>)

Schuette focused on his track record as attorney general during his acceptance speech on Saturday, calling himself Michigan’s voice for victims. Totten, in his own acceptance speech the next day, said he’s glad Schuette is running on his record, and challenged him to "bring it on." (more >>)

Murphy proved the only controversial nominee this weekend, as abortion rights activists held a silent protest while he spoke at the Democratic convention, citing his 1996 endorsement from Right to Life. Democrats reconsidered his nomination on Sunday, and he again prevailed. (more>>)

Carl was the only controversial winner amongst convention candidates this weekend. Former state Rep. Leon Drolet, who ran against Carl in a 2004 race, distributed a pamphlet on the convention floor highlighting news articles and reported comments she made about a Jewish candidate at the party’s 1992 convention. Carl was getting ready to talk with reporters after the convention before a consultant pulled her aside to complete paperwork, and she did not return. (more>>)

Steele ran away with the Republican race for U-M Regents, but Weiser was the bigger surprise. A major party player and fundraiser, Weiser narrowly won the second spot on the ticket in what emerged as something of a secondary establishment-tea party showdown. Weiser spent heavily on the race, bringing the likes of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Rep. Allen West to town for support. (more>>)

A minor drama unfolded at the Democratic convention, when former WSU professor James Woodyard launched a late run but was unable to best Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly and law professor Dana Thompson. Busuito and Jasti also made the ballot in 2012.